Pandemics & life-threatening infectious diseases could be the possible effects of worsening climatic conditions.
The crisis of COVID-19 pandemic around the world has certainly reshaped the society in lasting ways. From reorienting our interaction with the outer world & with each other to decisions of human life such as travelling, investing in real estate and saving for our insurance policies, the pandemic has modified the entire human race drastically.
One of the key questions that rises here is, why do these pandemics occur?
Though there is no clear evidence of climate change being the sole reason of the recent COVID-19 crises, however if one analyses, how human beings relate to other species on earth and how that relates to our health and safety? The answer clearly indicates towards Climate change being a key reason.
Damaging human activities over the years has resulted in a compositional imbalance in the air. Gases known as the ‘Greenhouse Gases’ emitted by human activities such as deforestation, burning of fossil fuels, soil destruction through increased use of fertilisers etc. have resulted in a drastic increase of Carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere. This in result has led to increased global temperatures.
Shifting weather condition increase risk of infectious diseases
According to a report by National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), there is a solid evidence that increased temperatures can lead to transmission of diseases. For instance there is a direct reaction on infectious agents such as malaria and dengue parasites during increased temperatures. For example, Nepal had no dengue cases due to its cold temperature previously, until its first outbreak in 2006 due to rising temperatures. Thus, it suggests that warmer temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns have created ideal conditions for vectors and pathogens to survive in areas which were earlier free from such diseases.
The rise of life threatening viruses such as Ebola, Nipah Virus, SARS emerged due to the ecological imbalance created by human beings.
Virus Chain: Deforestation———Displacement of Animals from their Natural Habitat ———Potential contact of displaced animals with other species and people——-Spread of germs (Large livestock farms etc.)
Melting of ice glacier could release millions of trapped ancient viruses
The rising of temperatures in the Arctic circle and melting of permafrost is heading us towards a ‘world of viruses’. Permafrost is a layer of ice found in arctic regions which is also considered as an excellent preserver of microbes and viruses, as it is cold, devoid of oxygen and is dark. Scientific studies show that under these cold layers of permafrost, virus can survive for millions of years and the melting of these layers indicate towards a potential release of these viruses or pathogens.
Rising temperatures could cause viral mutation which stops our immune system to fight infections
According to a study by John Hopkins University in January 2020, climate change will create new heat – tolerant diseases , that will in turn endanger our natural defence system- i.e. Fever – the ability of human body to maintain high temperature to fight infections. Thus, climate change could possible lead to even greater pandemics than COVID-19 in the years to come.
The prolonged intrusion of human activities with the environment, could thus possibly mean an endangered world.
Let’s initiate our bit today and pledge to protect our world from deadly viruses and deteriorating healthcare.